Holidays with dogs in or from Ireland

Haidee_Hammond · 18-02-2026 04:15PM #1

Hi all, I thought I might share the ideas of pet/dog friendly trips that can be taken with them in or from Ireland, and also looking to hear others ideas! For context my dog is 9kg so that will shape what's possible for us.

Campervan! Some camper van rentals allow for dogs and IMO that is sort of the easiest option of them all :)

Center Parcs - they have dog friendly lodges (I recall a total of 10 lodges if I am not mistaken)

Camping - we went to a Wicklow one, for our dog it was not a good experience, too many dogs too near by, but I am sure other doggies might be great.

Some cabins/airbnb/glamping houses: some are awesome, but not a lot that are kid AND dog friendly

Drive to NI - it is less complicated than a flight and less stressful

Ferry to Normandy or Santander - slow, I have not done it yet and pet friendly cabins fly (not keen on the kennels), also in general not cheap, but I would love to try it

(I am sort of ignoring UK here out of quarantine fear, but ofc that is a faster Ferry route)

Flying: haven't done this, our dog would be pushing the limit but I am told the exact weight is not closely monitored. I am sort of afraid to risk it, not even considering cargo hold, even cabin I am not super sure of, it would open some options though. From Dublin I think vueling and Air Europa allow dogs in cabin.

Leaving the dog at home (not ideal, but an option ofc): we have used Trusted House Sitters, been a bit unlucky with Paw Shake in our area, and Rover I think just launched in Ireland. If you have friends/family who can mind them all the better!

Any other ideas you want to add?

Haidee_Hammond · 18-02-2026 04:19PM

Link to related sub on airlines specifically https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058432420/travelling-with-pets-in-the-cabin-airlines#latest

volchitsa · 18-02-2026 04:26PM

We go camping in France with our dog, it's usually fine. I agree that for travelling, the collective kennel area is stressful for many dogs, including ours.

Brittany Ferries have brought in pet friendly cabins, but for a long time Stena Line was the best for us because you could leave the dog in the car overnight, and go down a couple of times to let him/her out on the car deck. Other than having her in the cabin with us, that was the next best for us as she is relaxed in the car, so leaving her for a few hours at a time was grand.

Last time we went though we couldn't find that option. I'm not sure if it's been permanently removed or if it was just that ferry.

Irish Ferries just had the kennels, which IMO are the worst option. We can't even leave a pet bed in the crate with her, she just rips it to pieces through stress. Won't eat, barely drinks, and takes a day to recover from the experience every time.

Camp sites on the continent are okayish. Main problem is the dog generally has to be kept tied up, which is a pain as ours isn't used to being confined, but it's doable. A couple of times when we've been on a campsite late in the season, or off season, there were so few people around that we didn't tie her up (she doesn't really wander now anyway) but when the car was sitting open, she got in and sat there like "I don't really want to be here, let's go home!")

anewme · 07-03-2026 12:18AM

Lots Of air BNB options now for Pets. We've travelled to Achill, Wexford, Kilkenny and Donegal.

Within Ireland, can recommend CABU in Cavan, Dunmore House in Cork.

Have booked France for later in the year (brittany Ferries).

My dog is a small companion type, that fits in everywhere. You would not even know he's there at a restaurant or Hotel.

muddypaws · 24-03-2026 03:36PM

Just on your quarantine fear- there is no quarantine between here and GB or the EU. Just get a pet passport, rabies vaccination and away you go, lots of pet friendly places in both GB and the continent. Just remember to get the dog wormed before you come back

anewme · 24-03-2026 03:38PM

Going to France this year with the dog myself. More worried about the drive (Electric Car) and opposite side of the road. Have recently come back from CABU - its great for (well behaved) dogs.

Holidays with dogs in or from Ireland

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